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Georgia Bankruptcy Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: Will having no income affect filing?

Wanting to file chapter 7 on credit card debt but the debt was incurred when I didn’t have a job. We always used my husbands income to make payments but with inflation and rising interest rates the credit cards have become unmanageable. Will it affect me filing? Will it affect my husband?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

Having no income, or limited income, can affect your ability to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but it doesn't necessarily prevent you from doing so. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is typically intended for individuals with unmanageable debt who cannot reasonably repay their creditors. If your credit... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: How is money viewed from not paying creditors?

When starting the process for bankruptcy you’re instructed to stop paying credit cards but how is the money from not paying them looked at from a bankruptcy perspective? If I stop paying my credit cards I will have an extra $1300 would the trustee take this? Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

When you're considering bankruptcy, it's important to understand the implications of not paying your creditors before filing. Generally, stopping payments to creditors is part of the bankruptcy process, especially if you intend to discharge those debts. The money you save by not paying... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: How is money viewed from not paying creditors?

When starting the process for bankruptcy you’re instructed to stop paying credit cards but how is the money from not paying them looked at from a bankruptcy perspective? If I stop paying my credit cards I will have an extra $1300 would the trustee take this? Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Jan 12, 2024

Payments to any unsecured creditors, which includes all unsecured credit card issuers, within 90 days of the filing of a bankruptcy case are deemed to be preferences, recoverable by the bankruptcy Trustee.

Moreover, if you have $1,300 in cash/on deposit at the bankruptcy start date, you...
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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: How is money viewed from not paying creditors?

When starting the process for bankruptcy you’re instructed to stop paying credit cards but how is the money from not paying them looked at from a bankruptcy perspective? If I stop paying my credit cards I will have an extra $1300 would the trustee take this? Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Jan 12, 2024

Generally, when you stop paying creditors, such as credit cards, you will use the money to pay other living expenses, including attorneys fees for filing bankruptcy. In some states, including California, if you stop paying creditors, your late payment record will stay on your credit report after... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: how do I find a pending bankruptcy case

I found out my tenant filed bankruptcy during a dispossessory hearing, how do I find out the case# and information

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Jan 4, 2024

You can ask the tenant for it. If that doesn't work, you can go on the Bankruptcy Court's electronic filing system (www.pacer.com), register, and find it by entering the debtor's name and, if you have it, the Social Security number. That should pull up the case number and filing date... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: What does it mean debtor discharged assets reported no deadline to file claim my chapter 7 open case
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 31, 2023

In your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case in Georgia, when it's stated that the debtor is discharged and assets are reported with no deadline to file a claim, it indicates a specific stage in your bankruptcy process.

A discharge in a Chapter 7 case means that the debtor is released from...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: Can i legally give my sister my house before filling for bankruptcy in Georgia?

I gave my sister my house in 2009 after purchasing a new house. We didn't do a quit claim deed then. Flash forward to today, i'm behind in my mortgage and am going to file bankruptcy. I was going to do the quit claim deed before hand to legally give her the other house, will there be... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Dec 14, 2023

Possibly. The bankruptcy trustee can challenge any transfer to a relative within one year prior to bankruptcy and drag the property back into the bankruptcy estate for the purpose of paying creditors. If you record a quitclaim deed within that period, it might be challenged, particularly if there... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander, Bankruptcy and Banking for Georgia on
Q: Can you remove defaming opinion in judges final order?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 4, 2023

If you find defamatory content in a judge's final order, there are limited options available for addressing this. The content of a judicial order typically reflects the judge's findings and opinions based on the presented evidence and legal standards. However, if the content seems to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Hello! I will be filing for divorce in 2024 due to a semi-domestic situation. I also HAVE to get my/OUR DEBT UNDER CTRL.

I am unsure if bankruptcy is the way to go but I am stuck with a mortgage, car payment,medical bills as well as personal loans we created jointly and we have some separately. I also am the cosigner for loans for him with a company. I have a vehicle that I cosigned with my daughter on as well. This... View More

Alake Colwell Furlow
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Nov 27, 2023

In a divorce the court can determine on a temporary basis which party is responsible for what expenses until they can make a final determination. You would have to file for divorce, file a motion for temporary relief, and have a hearing. Then you can let the court know what household expenses... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Hello! I will be filing for divorce in 2024 due to a semi-domestic situation. I also HAVE to get my/OUR DEBT UNDER CTRL.

I am unsure if bankruptcy is the way to go but I am stuck with a mortgage, car payment,medical bills as well as personal loans we created jointly and we have some separately. I also am the cosigner for loans for him with a company. I have a vehicle that I cosigned with my daughter on as well. This... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 19, 2023

Considering your situation, it's important to approach this with a clear understanding of your options. Filing for bankruptcy might be a viable solution to manage your debt, but it's crucial to understand the implications, especially regarding your assets like your house and car.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Divorce and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Hello! I will be filing for divorce in 2024 due to a semi-domestic situation. I also HAVE to get my/OUR DEBT UNDER CTRL.

I am unsure if bankruptcy is the way to go but I am stuck with a mortgage, car payment,medical bills as well as personal loans we created jointly and we have some separately. I also am the cosigner for loans for him with a company. I have a vehicle that I cosigned with my daughter on as well. This... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

Once you fall three months behind on your mortgage payments, your lender will likely start foreclosure proceedings. A chapter 7 would delay but not prevent foreclosure (unless you have a lot of equity). A chapter 13 would allow you to bring the payments current over the course of a chapter 13 plan... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: How do I proceed with a lawsuit filed against me by a debt collector if I was not served a summons or any court document

I received a letter from an attorney offering his services in connection with a lawsuit filed against me by a debt collector. As this was the first time I had heard of this, I believed it was a scam. Using this mail from the attorney, I was able to locate the case number in the court docket online... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Aug 29, 2024

1. No. Wait until you are served. 2. Yes, at some point but it is their obligation to serve you. 3. Yes. A lawyer may be able to negotiate and/or resolve for you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Contracts, Foreclosure and Appeals / Appellate Law for Georgia on
Q: Looking for help to write default judgement on defendant's who keep missing the deadline to answer the case.

File the case on1/18/2024 the defendant didn’t answer until 2/29/2024 with a motion to dismiss and verified answer defense. I did a MSJ on 6/10/2024 and the defendant did not answer until 7/15/2024 with a request for oral hearing and another motion to dismiss once filing late to answer. How can I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2024

When seeking a default judgment against a defendant who repeatedly misses deadlines, focus on their failure to comply with the court's timeline. Highlight that the defendant did not answer the case until well after the initial deadline and that they have continued to delay proceedings by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Bankruptcy and Contracts for Georgia on
Q: A judge ruled against me for contempt of court, while I waswithout legal representation, for an legal fees equity claim.

I haven't had steady work since the case against me by my former attorney was filed in 2022. But she still said I waswillingly failing to pay attorney fees. The attorney already committed legal malpractice by failing to protect my interest protected by Georgia statutory law.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 5, 2024

It sounds like you're dealing with a complex situation involving legal representation and a contempt ruling. Since you were without representation during the hearing, you might have grounds to challenge the ruling based on the lack of a fair opportunity to present your case. It’s crucial to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: A chapter 13 debtor, of whom I am a creditor, has now filed a motion to suspend plan payments. What does this mean?

Is this the same as canceling the bankruptcy? If the motion is granted, does that mean creditors will not be paid? Do I need to hire an attorney and attend the upcoming hearing regarding this motion in order to protect my interests?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 18, 2024

When a Chapter 13 debtor files a motion to suspend plan payments, it means they are requesting a temporary halt to their bankruptcy payment plan, usually due to a financial hardship. This is not the same as canceling the bankruptcy. If the motion is granted, the debtor may temporarily stop making... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Am I on the hook for gifted money I received from my father two years before his Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing?

My father filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy on May 23rd 2024. He gifted me cash to help me out in February 2022. Am I (the recipient) on the hook to pay that money back to the trustee? This would be over two years ago. He had no idea he would run into enough trouble for bankruptcy at the time in 2022.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 18, 2024

It's understandable to be concerned about receiving money before a family member's bankruptcy filing. In your case, since the gift from your father was given in February 2022, over two years before he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you are generally not required to return the money to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: I have a chapter 13 bankruptcy question.

My one secure debt is from me stupidly pawning my car title. I owe $5500. I was told I’d pay $136 + $620 a month for TM with TM being paid off in 8 months. But my petition shows I will pay $756 for 36 months. Will my payment drop to the $136 a month once TitleMax is paid off?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 5, 2023

In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan, your payment can indeed change over time. If your plan is structured so that you're paying off the TitleMax loan within 8 months, once that debt is fully paid, your plan payment may be adjusted. However, this depends on the other debts included in your plan and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Georgia on
Q: I filed chpt 13 bankrupcy to avoid foreclosure sell on house Tues. So had time to sell it. Can I still cancel bankrupcy

If I can still sell house now and stop bankrupcy for actually going thru in ga. How much time do I have bf I must cancel and avoid it from going thru?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Nov 5, 2023

You don't say so, but it sounds as if you filed pro se, without counsel, and that's always dicey for a non-lawyer.

If you filed at least the minimum required documents (the Petition, a Certificate that you completed the approved counseling course prior to filing, and a full list...
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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Collections and Small Claims for Georgia on
Q: How to ensure defendant in small claims suit will pay plaintiff's (creditor's) judgment?

I am suing in Georgia small claims for 14k. I had an agreement with the defendant that I would put them on my credit card to build their credit and they would pay me monthly on charges incurred. They ran up the card 10k. I've filed the suit, defendant has been served. While I wait for the... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Nov 4, 2023

It depends on when the defendant filed his last bankruptcy. If he received a chapter 7 discharge, he must wait at least 8 years before he can file again. If it was a chapter 13 discharge, he only needs to wait two years to file another chapter 13. After a chapter 13 discharge, he has to wait 6... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Business Law, Contracts and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: I own a condo in a business name and my business partner is considering filing bankruptcy, would we need to sell condo?

So that I am not impacted, would we need to sell the asset in order to not have it taken in a bankruptcy? Are there any other impacts to me if my business partner goes through with this?

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Sep 8, 2023

Yes, there are "impacts" that concern you (I currently represent a debtor in a Ch. 7 who has been a general partner in a small business construction company which has had a non-bankrupt general partner as well).

A general partner is personally liable for the debts of a...
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